Portable messaging and scheduling device with homebase station

ABSTRACT

A portable device (10) for selective message recordation and playback and scheduling includes a portable unit (11) and an optional homebase station (12). Portable unit (11) includes a housing (15), unit controller (20), tactile input mechanism (40), audio processor (60) and video processor (80). Portable unit (11) allows textual, audible and visual message inputs and their selective playback based on time or other preselected textual, audible or visual stimulus. A selectively detachable stylus (51) may be removed to engage a touch panel (50) for making operational selections and entering information. Optional homebase station (12) may include a variety of features for supporting and supplementing those of handheld unit (11), such as a floppy drive (112) message memory, input keys (114), a battery charging circuit (115) and an external communication circuit (117).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.08/647,669, filed May 15, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,696,496 which inturn is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 08/223,464, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,648,760 filed Apr. 5, 1994, which is a continuation ofpatent application Ser. No. 07/805,302, filed Dec. 10, 1991, nowabandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to portable devices forreceiving, and storing and selectively recalling messages. Moreparticularly, the present invention pertains to devices for recordingand playback of messages and reminders. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to portable devices sometimes referred to as messagerecorders and organizers.

BACKGROUND ART

Over the years a wide variety of devices, sometimes loosely referred toas organizers, have been used to assist the individual in retaining andsequentially recalling thoughts or other messages, and retaining andfurnishing timely reminders of matters requiring future attention. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,470 to Rahamin et al., and the "OASecretary" made by Ky-Tek Industrial Co., Ltd. of Taipei Taiwan Republicof China, present non-portable electronic reminder systems in whichmicrophone input audio messages are stored and subsequently played backat preselected times entered through a keyboard. U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,752to Weitzler discloses another electronic reminder device for receivingaudio input, storing the audio input on separate tracks of audio tape,and playing back the audio input at preselected times associated witheach separate track.

Storage and selective retrieval of typewritten and manually enterednotes and messages have also been the subject of organizers. A handheldelectronic device for storing keyboard entered personal information suchas telephone numbers, appointments and one's agenda, and furnishing anaudio alarm or display at the time of an appointment or otherpreselected time has been shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,760 to Yagi. U.S.Pat. No. 4,968,065 to O'Brien depicts a manual notetaking system inwhich a note-card is lined on one side to facilitate writing and shapedto facilitate carrying in a shirt-pocket.

Two additional U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,357 to Dreyfus et al. and U.S. Pat.No. 4,471,218 to Culp envision acquiring visual information for storageand later retrieval. In the Dreyfus et al. patent a pocket photocopiercapable of scanning, storing and printing a portion of a documentincludes a CCD array and an incremental wheel which furnishes a timebase for the reading interval as the wheel rolls without sliding. Thescanned matter is stored in a memory and printed out by a built inprinter. The Culp patent provides a portable data entry terminal wandhaving a barcode scanner that reads data into its memory and, when thewand is inserted into an optical-coupled interface module transfers thedata in the wand memory to a more complex base terminal.

Because people give and receive information using all their senses, anorganizer must be comprehensive to be most useful. In other words, themost desirable organizer would allow messages and reminders be enteredand played back visually as by scanning, auditorialy by speech andmanually by touch. Butt functional comprehensiveness is not enough.Because people are constantly developing messages and requiringreminders, the most desirable organizer must also be highly compact foreasy carrying and use. As a practical matter an organizer should easilyfit into a shirt pocket.

The various devices noted above have failed miserably at being bothfunctionally comprehensive and compact. No device has includedsufficient functionality to allow input and output of messages andreminders in the optimal variety of sensory modes. Additionally, asfunctionality has increased, such devices have become so large,cumbersome and unwieldy as to require fixed operation, severely limitingthe usefulness of any organizer.

Equally significant, such devices have been difficult and convoluted tounderstand, learn and operate. Indeed, many devices have been so complexas to preclude use by all but the most technically adventurous andknowledgeable. This complexity and intractability has been furtherexasperated with greater functionality.

In short, such devices are not functionally comprehensive, sufficientlycompact or easy to work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide aportable, device for organizing messages and reminders that receives andplays back messages in a functionally comprehensive variety of sensoryformats.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, asset forth above, wherein messages and reminders may be received visuallyas by scanning, auditorialy by speech and manually by touch, and may beplayed back visually or auditorialy.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device,as set forth above, which is adapted to facilitate handheld operationand carrying in a shirt pocket.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide adevice, as set forth above, that is easy to understand, learn andoperate.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device,as set forth above, that allows users to select directly the desiredoperation of the device without having to individually bypass aplurality of selections.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention overexisting prior art forms will become more apparent and fully understoodfrom the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

In general, a portable device for recording and selective playback ofmessages includes an audio message recorder for receiving an audiomessage and generating a representative audio message signal, a touchpanel for receiving a written message and generating a representativewritten message signal, a scanner for scanning a strip of printedmaterial and generating a representative scanning message signal, amicroprocessor for receiving and storing the audio message signal, thewritten message signal and the scanning message signal, andnon-sequentially selectively recalling for playback the audio messagesignal, the written message signal and the scanning message signal, anaudio message player for receiving and playback of the recalled audiomessage signal, and a display for receiving and playback of the recalledwritten message signal and the recalled scanning message signal.

A portable device for personal organization by selective playback ofmessages upon the occurrence of a preselected triggering event includesa touch panel for generating a triggering event signal representative ofthe desired triggering event, a stylus selectively detachably mountedupon the portable device for operatively engaging the touch panel andfacilitating selection of the triggering event, means for playback ofthe messages, and a microprocessor for receiving and storing at leastone triggering event signal and at least one message to be played back,the microprocessor generating a signal for playback of the selectedmessage upon the occurrence of the triggering event, the means forplayback receiving the signal for playback and playing back the selectedmessage.

A personal organizer and messaging device includes a unit dimensionedfor handheld grasping and carrying substantially within a shirt-pocket.This unit includes means for playback of messages, a touch panel forinput of information, and a stylus selectively detachably mounted uponthe unit for operatively engaging the touch panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary device in accordancewith the present invention showing both a portable, handheld unit and ahomebase station.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the exemplary portable, handheld unit shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the exemplary portable, handheldunit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken substantially along line 3--3 shown inof FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exemplary portable, handheld unit shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 taken substantially along line 4--4 shown in FIG. 3showing in breakaway the scanning apparatus and a portion of the powersupply therein, and showing in phantom the release position of a pocketclip/stylus.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the exemplary portable, handheld unitshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken substantially along line 5--5 shown in FIG.3.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the exemplary portable, handheld unitshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken substantially along line 6--6 shown in FIG.3.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the exemplary homebase station shown in FIG. 1taken substantially along line 7--7 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the functional components of the exemplaryportable unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top level flow chart depicting the operation of the presentinvention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 presents in perspective an exemplary device in accordance withthe present invention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, forselective message recordation and playback and scheduling. Device 10,best seen overall in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a portable unit 11 and anoptional homebase station 12. Portable unit 11, better seen in FIGS. 2through 6, broadly includes housing 15, unit controller 20, tactileinput mechanism 40, audio processor 60 and video processor 80. Portableunit 11 allows textual, audible and visual message inputs and theirselective playback based on time or other preselected textual, audibleor visual stimulus.

Housing 15 may be formed by molding or other acceptable means of asuitable material such as a rigid plastic suitable to integrally carryall the components in a substantially rectangular block having an uppershell 16 and a lower shell 17, a first end 18 and a second end 19. Thedimensions and styling of housing 15 should be about what may becomfortably grasped in a human operator's hand and fit within aconventional shirt pocket for ease of use carrying, e.g., about 1.8inches (4.6 cm) wide, 6.25 inches (15.9 cm) long and 0.8 inches (2.0 cm)thick with rounded edges.

Unit controller 20 includes, as best appreciated in FIGS. 3 and 8, amain printed circuit (PC) board 21 carried by upper shell 16 having aplurality of primarily surface mounted devices (SMDs) 22 mounted on theside thereof furthest from upper shell 16, and a portion of the tactileinput mechanism 40 and video processor 80 as hereinafter detailedmounted on the side thereof adjacent to upper shell 16. The SMDs mountedon PC board 21 may include a microprocessor or microcontroller 23,memory 24, and, to the extent not provided on-board microcontroller 23,a clock/calendar circuit 25 for storing the current date and time,analog to digital (A/D) and digital to analog (D/A) converters,input/output and display controllers and video processor circuits andcomponents.

Unit controller 20 further includes a second PC board 26 carried bylower shell 17 having a plurality of primarily non-SMDs 27 such as powersupply components mounted on the side thereof furthest from lower shell17, the audio processor 60 as hereinafter detailed mounted in part onthe side thereof adjacent lower shell 17, and an on-board power supply30. A suitable electrical cable 28 may be employed to interconnect thetwo PC boards. On-board power supply 30 may include, for example, aplurality of batteries 31 mounted in a compartment 32 that may beintegrally formed in lower shell 17 and have cover 34, and an on-offpower switch 33 that may be mounted on second PC board 26 so as toextend partially through the side of housing 15.

Microcontroller 23 may be any conventional microcontroller suitable forprocessing limits speech recognition and graphics display, preferablyhaving low-power consumption and various functions including at leastlimited digital signal processing, A/D and D/A conversion, such as theModel Z86C94 microcontroller manufactured by Zilog, Inc. of Campbell,Calif. Memory 24 may be any suitable digital memory of sufficientcapacity to store any extent of program not onboard microcontroller 23and the desired number and length of voice messages discussed below.512K Bytes of CMOS static RAM has been found adequate to retain over 200scanned or written messages, over 30 four-second long verbal messages ora mix thereof.

Tactile input mechanism 40 includes a plurality of input keys 41 such asmenu key 42, forward arrow key 43, reverse arrow key 44, erase key 45,record key 46, scan key 47 and touch key 48, all mounted to PC board 21as described above. Tactile input may also be furnished via resistivetouch panel 50 which will allow input via touching of a display to bediscussed below or input written thereon by a substantially rectangularstylus 51 selectively detachably mounted to the outside of lower shell17 by suitable means such as bayonet mount 52. One acceptable analogresistive touch sensor with an active area of appropriate dimensions maybe purchased from Graphics Technology Inc. of Austin, Tex. doingbusiness as Touch Technology. Use of stylus 51 allows direct selectionamong the plurality of choices that may be presented on the display,eliminating the need for multiple keystrokes of keys 43 and 44 to move acursor over undesired choices and greatly facilitating ease of operationof device 10.

Audio processor 60 includes a microphone 61 for audio input, an audioprocessor circuit 62 receiving the signal from microphone 61 and whoseoutput is received by the microcontroller 23, a volume controlpotentiometer 63 electrically connected to audio processor circuit 62and an audio amplifier 64, and a speaker 65 for audio output receivingthe output from audio amplifier 65. Microphone 61, audio processorcircuit 62, volume control potentiometer 63, audio amplifier 64 andspeaker 65 all may be mounted on second PC board 26 such that microphone61 is in alignment with sound aperture 66 in the second end 19 of bothshells of housing 15, volume control potentiometer 63 extends partiallythrough the side of housing 15, and speaker 65 is aligned with soundaperture 67 in lower shell 17. The central core of stylus 51 may beremoved to facilitate the passage of sound therethrough when stylus 51is mounted upon lower shell 17.

Video processor 80 includes a graphics display 81 preferably of higherresolution and low power consumption. One such device is the graphictype supertwist dot matrix liquid crystal display modules of either thereflective or, if economical, backlight type like that manufactured bySeiko Instruments USA Inc. of Torrance Calif. Graphics display 81 may bemounted to the side of main PC board 21 adjacent to upper shell 16 suchthat its active area is visible through an aperture in upper shell 16.

Video processor 80 may further include an optical scanner 82 such as aCCD array, like the Model LZ2018 512-pixel line sensor commerciallyavailable from Sharp Electronics Corporation of Mahwah, N.J., mounted toa third PC board 83. Third PC board 83, in turn may be mountedperpendicular to and in main PC board 21 so that the CCD array 82 iscentrally disposed within and faces the first end 18 of housing 15, andmay be electrically interconnected thereto by right angle connector 84.Two light emitting diodes (LEDs) 85 or other suitable light sources arealso mounted peripherally on third PC board 83 adjacent the oppositeinterior sidewalls of housing 15 oriented to project light therefromtoward a scanning aperture 86 in the first end of housing 15.

A lens mounting assembly 90 is fixedly mounted between upper shell 16and lower shell 17 such that the ends thereof form light channels 91directing the light from LEDs 85 through scanning aperture 86 outsideunit 11. Lens mounting assembly also carries a first centrally disposedlens 92 for focusing the bulk of the light reflected in through scanningaperture 86 from the scanning surface upon CCD array 82, and twoperipherally disposed lenses 93, 94 for focusing a small portion oflight reflected from two scan wheels 95, 96 as discussed directly below.

It should be appreciated that inasmuch as scanning with handheld unit 11is performed manually, the scan rate can vary significantly and somemethod is required to determine the actual scan rate. One such method isshown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,357 to Dreyfus et al and employs tworotatable, stripped scan wheels 95, 96 mounted on housing 15 at eitherend of scanning aperture 86. Scan wheels 95, 96 intercept small portionsof the light from LEDs 85 and reflect to the periphery of CCD array 82 alight modulated pulse train whose frequency and duty cycle is directlyproportional to the scan rate. Scanning aperture 86 may be angled tofurther facilitate scanning with unit 11 held at an optimal angularorientation with respect to the scanning surface.

Homebase station 12, illustrated in perspective in FIG. 1 and in rearelevation in FIG. 7, may include a variety of features for supportingand in addition to those of handheld unit 11. Homebase station 12 mayinclude its own microprocessor or microcontroller 110, memory 111,off-line storage device 112 such as a small form factor floppy diskdrive, input keys 114, charging circuit 115 with external jack 116 forthe rechargeable power supply of handheld unit 11, and communicationcircuit 117.

Homebase station 12 may preferably further include a cradle 120 intowhich handheld unit 11 may slide in only one orientation, therebyallowing power and information transfer as hereinbelow furtherexplained. Homebase station 12 may include a miniature multi-contact I/Oconnector 121 which removably matingly engages a like connector 122included in the handheld unit 11 second PC board 26 and extendingthrough lower shell 17 of housing 15 in proximity to the pointer end ofstylus 51. A rectangular bay 123 is cutout of cradle 120 to allow stylus51 to pass thereunder and bias connectors 121 and 122 into firmelectrical engagement when handheld unit 11 is secured within cradle120.

Homebase station 12 allows supplemental key input to portable unit 11,supplemental message storage, communications with external devices, andcharging of batteries 31 in portable unit 11.

The input keys 114 of homebase station 12 may be a touch keypad such asan 8×4 key array with interchangeable overlays, a QWERTY keyboard withstandard travel keys, or such other tactile input mechanism as may bedesired. Solely by way of example, where a key array is employed oneoverlay may have symbols representative of preselectable stimulus orresponses as further detailed below, while another overlay may presentstandard alphanumeric characters.

Data and other information communication between homebase station 12 andhandheld unit 11 may be achieved through selected contacts in connectors121 and 122 when handheld unit 11 is fully inserted into cradle 120.Homebase 12 may include conventional communication circuitry forexternal communication, such as an RS-232C interface, and a hardwiredDB-25 style I/O connector 127 for connection to a communication cable128, and/or a radio or other broadcast frequency circuit and antenna129.

Operation of device 10 may be most readily understood if it is recalledthat the two related overall roles of unit 11 are to furnish flexiblemessaging and personal scheduling capabilities. Thus, unit 11 possessestwo basic modes of operation: messages in a variety of formats may beinput, played back and edited in what may be called the "notes" mode;the occurrence of preselected notes or events (i.e., "causes") triggerspresentation of further preselected messages and/or generation ofpreselected events (i.e., "effects") in what may be called the"cause-effect" mode.

Unit 11 allows for input of messages in a variety of sensory formatsincluding visual by scanning using video processor 80, audio by speakingusing audio processor 60, and alphanumeric by keying or writing usingresistive touch panel 50. Messages may be output and effects selectedfrom among a similar variety of formats, including visual and/oralphanumeric using display 81, and audio by recorded speech using audioprocessor 60.

Unit 11 permits a variety of triggering causes including the occurrenceof a preselected time, day and/or date (which may be called a "clock"cause), the input by scanning or touch panel 41 selection of apreselected visual or alphanumeric image (which may be called an "icon"cause), the input of a preselected audio message (which may be called a"voice" cause), the lapse of a preselected time interval (which may becalled a "timer" cause), the entry by touch panel 50 of a preselectedalphanumeric character string (which may be called a "text" cause), andthe receipt by unit 11 from its homebase or other external source of apreselected alphanumeric character string (which may be called a"machine" cause). Effects may be selected from among a similar varietyof formats, including presentation on display 81 of time, day and/ordate (which may be called a "clock" effect), presentation on display 81of a video message (which may be called an "icon" effect), generation ofan audio message (which may be called a "voice" effect), presentation ondisplay 81 of the current lapsed time of the timer (which may be calleda "timer" effect), presentation on display 81 of a preselectedalphanumeric character string (which may be called a "text" effect), andthe transmission of a preselected alphanumeric character string (whichmay be called a "machine" effect).

In one exemplary implementation of such operation unit 11 may default toone mode of operation, such as the notes mode, and allow for operationin the other mode (cause-effect) by pressing a key (menu key 42). FIG. 9presents a top level flow chart of an exemplary operation of unit 11 inaccordance with the present invention, which starts in block 140 uponactivation of unit 11 either by pressing on-off power switch 33, or byclock/calendar 25 upon occurrence of a preselected clock or timer cause.After performing various known initialization procedures (block 141),all keys are tested for selection (block 142). If a key 41 is pressedthe corresponding routine is executed as described herein (block 143).If no key is pressed, the current time is checked and compared to anypreselected clock or timer cause (block 144), and if equal thepreselected effect executed (block 147). If not, unit 11 checks if auser preselected period of inactivity has lapsed (block 148), and if soconserves power by switching microcontroller 23 to an "idle" condition(block 149). In the idle condition power is maintained to any volatilememory and clock/calendar 25.

While in the notes mode, it is possible to input four types of messagesas described above: scanned, spoken, written or keyed. Scanned messagesmay be input by pressing the scan key 47, activating scanner 80. Imagesmay be scanned as described above, echoed on display 81 and stored whenin acceptable condition by pressing record key 46. Unit 11 mayoptionally allow editing of scanned messages prior to recording such asby using stylus 51 for pixel alteration or arrow keys 43, 44 forscaling.

Audio messages, written and keyed alphanumeric messages may berespectively input during the notes mode when no other notes are inprogress by pressing record key 46 and speaking into microphone 61,pressing touch key 48 once, and pressing touch key 48 twice in quicksuccession. Appropriate screens may be presented to the user tofacilitate identifying and processing the selected input, which may bestored when in acceptable condition by pressing record key 46.

Messages may be played back during the notes mode when no other notesare in progress by pressing either forward arrow key 43 or reverse arrowkey 44, and may be deleted by pressing erase key 45 for several secondsduring playback of the unwanted message. Since messages are storeddigitally, a new message may be inserted preceding the last recorded orplayed message by simultaneously pressing both arrow keys 43, 44.

Pressing menu key 42 presents a menu screen on display 81 listing theallowed selections. Desirable selections may include "set-upcause-effect", "set clock", "erase all" and "set others", and may bechosen by the user with touch panel 50. If "set-up cause-effect" isselected, display 81 may present a series of menus allowing selection ofthe type of triggering event desired, the appropriate specifictriggering conditions, and the type of effect desired. For example, if auser choose the "clock" selection from a cause menu, display 81 wouldnext prompt the user for a date, day and/or time at which the desiredeffect is to be carried out, followed by an effect menu presenting theabove described selection of effects. If the user chooses "voice" as thedesired effect, the user would be prompted for the audio message.Thereafter, at the preselected date, day and/or time that message wouldbe played back automatically. Thus, completing one or more "set-upcause-effect" procedures selects the cause-effect mode.

"Set clock" may present a display 81 screen for setting the internalclock of unit 11 to the current date, day and time. "Erase all" may befurnished to conveniently erase all recorded messages causes andeffects. The "set others" option may be furnished to specify other userdesirable functions such as the inactivity period after which idleoperation is begun. Other user desirable functions may include a message"write-protection" switch, which when activated precludes alteration ofexisting messages and input of additional messages, and a password topreclude modification to settings in handheld unit 11 by activation ofmain menu screen or the note mode screen by other than an authorizeduser.

It should be appreciated that homebase station 12 may be used tofacilitate the selection, storage and editing in unit 11 of desiredmessages, causes and effects. Selection of "machine" from the cause menuallows receipt of an alphanumeric character string directly fromhomebase station 12, as noted hereinbefore. A modem or othercommunication interface may be electrically connected to I/O connector127 for indirect communication with any device capable of suchcommunication. Floppy disk drive 112 may be used to store asignificantly greater number of messages, causes and effects.

The versatility of homebase station 112 permits unit 11 to be configuredto best address the desired application. Where, for example, unit 11 isto be utilized by an ambulatory handicapped person strictly a portable,intelligent reminder, unit 11 may be limited in features to just thoseof interest, say audio output and display.

It should now be appreciated that device 10 allows messages andreminders in a variety of sensory modes and in a housing that isportable, handheld and adapted for convenient carry in a shirt-pocket.Device 10 also permits the non-sequential selective playback andmodification of messages and reminders, and facilitates understanding,learning and use by, among other things, inclusion of a selectivelydetachable stylus and touch panel.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to variations,modifications and changes in detail, some of which have been expresslystated herein, it is intended that all matter described throughout thisentire specification or shown in the accompanying drawings beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should thusbe evident that a device constructed according to the concept of thepresent invention, and reasonably equivalent thereto, will accomplishthe objects of the present invention and otherwise substantially improvethe art relating to devices for personal organization and messaging.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable device for message organization,comprising:input means for receiving a first user inputted message intactile format; output means for furnishing a second message in visualformat; processor means for linking the first message to the secondmessage; monitoring means for monitoring for the subsequent occurrenceof the first message; and playback means for operating said output meansto furnish said linked second message upon the subsequent occurrence ofthe first message.
 2. The device as defined in claim 1 further includinginput means for receiving a user inputted link that links the firstmessage to the second message.
 3. The device as defined in claim 1 inwhich the subsequent occurrence of the first message is one of a usergenerated subsequent occurrence, processor generated subsequentoccurrence and external source generated subsequent occurrence.
 4. Aportable device for recording and selective playback of messages,comprising:audio input means for receiving and recording an audiomessage and generating a representative audio message signal; imagecapture means for capturing an image and generating a representativeimage signal; processor means for controlling the receipt and digitalstorage of said audio message signal and said image signal, andnon-sequentially selectively recalling for playback said audio messagesignal and said image signal; audio output means for receiving andplayback of said recalled audio message signal; display means forreceiving and playback of said recalled image signal; and a handheldhousing for carrying said audio input means, said image capture means,said processor means, said audio output means and said display means. 5.The device as defined in claim 4 further comprising writing means forreceiving a written message and generating a representative writtenmessage signal; and in which said processor means digitally records saidwritten message, and non-sequentially selectively recalls for playbacksaid written message, and in which said display means displays saidwritten message.
 6. The device as defined in claim 5 in which thewriting means is a touch panel.
 7. The device as defined in claim 6 inwhich the touch panel is positioned beneath the display means; theposition of the touch panel and the display means causing operativeengagement of a stylus with the display means to simultaneouslyoperatively engage the touch panel.
 8. The device as defined in claim 5in which a first message is defined by one of the written messages,audio messages and image messages; in which a second message is definedby another of the written messages, audio message and image messages; inwhich the processor means further includes linking means for linking thefirst message to the second message, monitoring means for monitoring forthe playback of the first message; and playback means for playing backthe second message upon the playback of the first message.
 9. A device,as set forth in claim 8, in which the linking means is user created. 10.The device as defined in claim 4 in which the handheld unit has firstand second ends and front and rear surfaces; in which the image capturemeans is located on one of the front and rear surfaces and is positionedintermediate the first and second ends of the handheld unit.
 11. Adevice, as set forth in claim 4, further including a homebase stationfor transmitting messages to and receiving messages from said handheldhousing, said handheld housing means and said homebase station inselective operative engagement.
 12. A device, as set forth in claim 11,wherein said homebase station further includes communication means fortransmitting messages to and receiving messages from external sources.13. A device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the homebase stationfurther includes means for storing messages.
 14. A personal organizerand messaging device, comprising:a portable handheld unit; an audiomessage digital recorder for receiving an audio message including amicrophone mounted in said unit in proximity to a first end of saidunit; a touch sensitive panel for receiving a written message; imagecapture means for capturing an image and generating a representativeimage signal; a memory for storage of said audio message, said writtenmessage and said image signal; a processor for controlling the receiptof said audio message, said written message and said image signal,storing said audio message, said written message and said image signalin said memory, and non-sequentially selectively recalling for playbacksaid audio message, said written message and said image signal; an audiomessage player for receiving and playback of said audio message; adisplay for receiving and playback of said written message and saidimage, said touch sensitive panel mounted in operative association withsaid display; and a stylus selectively detachably mounted on saidhandheld unit for selectively operatively engaging said touch panel, andchoosing the operation of the device.
 15. A personal organizing andmessaging device, comprising a handheld unit dimensioned for handheldgrasping comprising:audio input means for receiving and digitallyrecording an audio message and generating a representative audiomessaging signal; writing means for receiving and recording a writtenmessage and generating a written message signal; processor means forcontrolling the receipt and digital storage of said audio message signaland written message signal, and non-sequentially selectively recallingfor playback said audio message signal and written message signal; audiooutput means for receiving and playback of said recalled audio messagesignal; display means for receiving and playing back said writtenmessage signal; and a handheld housing for carrying said audio inputmeans, said writing means, said processor means and said audio outputmeans, and said display means.
 16. The personal organizing and messagingdevice, as set forth in claim 15, in which the writing means is a touchpanel.
 17. The personal organizing and messaging device, as set forth inclaim 16, in which the touch panel is positioned beneath the displaymeans; the position of the touch panel and the display means causingoperative engagement of a stylus with the display means tosimultaneously operatively engage the touch panel.